How tablet timing works and why timing matters

Last updated: December 2025

Shortcut to state snapshots: California • Texas • Florida • New York • Ohio • North Carolina • Oregon • Colorado • Georgia • Pennsylvania

State snapshots (anchor-ready)

Use these quick anchors for snippet-friendly answers. Lead times follow label guidance: Grastek and Ragwitek ≥12 weeks; Oralair ≈16 weeks pre‑season. Always continue through the season and confirm with your clinician.

California

• Grass tablets (Grastek ≥12 wks; Oralair ≈16 wks): start by Feb 1

• Ragweed tablets (Ragwitek ≥12 wks): start by Jun 1

Texas

• Grass tablets: start by Feb 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by May 1

Florida

• Grass tablets: start by Feb 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by May 1

New York

• Grass tablets: start by Mar 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by Jun 1

Ohio

• Grass tablets: start by Mar 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by Jun 1

North Carolina

• Grass tablets: start by Feb 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by Jun 1

Oregon

• Grass tablets: start by Mar 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by Jun 1

Colorado

• Grass tablets: start by Mar 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by Jun 1

Georgia

• Grass tablets: start by Feb 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by May 1

Pennsylvania

• Grass tablets: start by Mar 1

• Ragweed tablets: start by Jun 1

• Grass tablets

• Grastek (Timothy grass): start at least 12 weeks before the expected grass season; continue through the season. See FDA label for more information.

• Oralair (5‑grass mix): start about 4 months before the grass season; continue through the season. See official guidance.

• Ragweed tablet

• Ragwitek (short ragweed): start at least 12 weeks before ragweed season; continue through the season. See manufacturer guidance.

Clinical note: Starting ≥12 weeks (≈3 months) before your local season gives time for desensitization. Oralair labeling specifies ≈4 months for grass. Grastek and Ragwitek specify ≥12 weeks. If you’re already inside that window, starting as soon as possible can still help, but earlier is better.

Start‑by reminders (quick planner)

How to start your tablet on time (step‑by‑step)

• Jump to your tables: Grass start‑by calendar • Ragweed start‑by calendar

• Step 1 — Find your local season: Check your state page in our season atlas and note peak months for grass or ragweed.

• Step 2 — Pick your tablet and lead time: Grastek and Ragwitek require ≥12 weeks before season; Oralair is ~16 weeks. Earlier is better, especially with longer seasons.

• Step 3 — Count back: From your peak month, count back 12–16 weeks to set a conservative “start by” date (or use the state tables below).

• Step 4 — Set reminders: Add a phone/calendar reminder 3–4 months ahead of peak; shift 2–4 weeks earlier in coastal/low‑latitude regions or if prior seasons were severe.

• Step 5 — Get started safely: Schedule your supervised first dose, confirm you have epinephrine if prescribed, and continue tablets through the season.

• Step 6 — Monitor and adjust: If you’re inside the 12–16 week window, start as soon as possible—some benefit is still likely; confirm timing with your clinician.

Note: Pollen seasons are trending earlier/longer in many regions; plan conservatively (CDC overview).

• Grass tablets: plan 12–16 weeks before your state’s typical grass season.

• Grastek (Timothy): ≥12 weeks pre‑season.

• Oralair (5‑grass mix): ~16 weeks (≈4 months) pre‑season.

• Learn more: Grass pollen basics

• Ragweed tablet: plan ≥12 weeks before your ragweed season.

• Ragwitek (short ragweed): ≥12 weeks pre‑season.

• Learn more: Ragweed overview

• Find your local window: check the state season atlas, then use the tables below for conservative “start‑by” months.

• Tip: set a recurring phone calendar reminder 3–4 months ahead of your state’s peak so you don’t miss the window; shift earlier by 2–4 weeks in coastal/low‑latitude areas or if you’ve had severe seasons.

How these state calendars were generated

• We mapped each state’s typical peak timing for grass (late spring–early summer) and ragweed (late summer–early fall) using Wyndly’s state and allergen guides and then backed up the labeled lead‑in (≥12 weeks or ≈4 months) to compute a conservative “start by” month.

• Examples and state seasonality resources:

• Grass peaks: many states show June peaks; see Oregon (June grass) and Ohio (June grass). California lists May for grass.

• Ragweed peaks: commonly September. See North Carolina, Maryland, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania. Ragweed overview is also available.

• State hub (learn more or verify local timing): Wyndly's Allergy season by state and pollen index provide additional resources.

• Season lengths are trending earlier/longer in many regions; plan conservatively. See CDC overview on pollen and climate for details.

Start‑by calendars (annual targets)

These tables list conservative “start by” months each year. If your local peaks are earlier than typical (coastal/low‑latitude zones) or you’ve had historically severe seasons, shift earlier by 2–4 weeks. Always confirm with your clinician and local pollen trends.

Grass tablets (Grastek ≥12 weeks; Oralair ≈4 months)

State	Start by (month)
Alabama	February 1
Alaska	April 1
Arizona	February 1
Arkansas	February 1
California	February 1
Colorado	March 1
Connecticut	March 1
Delaware	March 1
District of Columbia	March 1
Florida	February 1
Georgia	February 1
Hawaii	February 1
Idaho	March 1
Illinois	March 1
Indiana	March 1
Iowa	March 1
Kansas	March 1
Kentucky	March 1
Louisiana	February 1
Maine	March 1
Maryland	March 1
Massachusetts	March 1
Michigan	March 1
Minnesota	March 1
Mississippi	February 1
Missouri	March 1
Montana	March 1
Nebraska	March 1
Nevada	March 1
New Hampshire	March 1
New Jersey	March 1
New Mexico	February 1
New York	March 1
North Carolina	February 1
North Dakota	March 1
Ohio	March 1
Oklahoma	March 1
Oregon	March 1
Pennsylvania	March 1
Rhode Island	March 1
South Carolina	February 1
South Dakota	March 1
Tennessee	March 1
Texas	February 1
Utah	March 1
Vermont	March 1
Virginia	March 1
Washington	March 1
West Virginia	March 1
Wisconsin	March 1
Wyoming	March 1

Ragweed tablets (Ragwitek ≥12 weeks)

State	Start by (month)
Alabama	May 1
Alaska	N/A (ragweed uncommon)
Arizona	June 1
Arkansas	May 1
California	June 1
Colorado	June 1
Connecticut	June 1
Delaware	June 1
District of Columbia	June 1
Florida	May 1
Georgia	May 1
Hawaii	June 1 (ragweed limited; verify locally)
Idaho	June 1
Illinois	June 1
Indiana	June 1
Iowa	June 1
Kansas	June 1
Kentucky	June 1
Louisiana	May 1
Maine	June 1
Maryland	June 1
Massachusetts	June 1
Michigan	June 1
Minnesota	June 1
Mississippi	May 1
Missouri	June 1
Montana	June 1
Nebraska	June 1
Nevada	June 1
New Hampshire	June 1
New Jersey	June 1
New Mexico	June 1
New York	June 1
North Carolina	June 1
North Dakota	June 1
Ohio	June 1
Oklahoma	June 1
Oregon	June 1
Pennsylvania	June 1
Rhode Island	June 1
South Carolina	May 1
South Dakota	June 1
Tennessee	June 1
Texas	May 1
Utah	June 1
Vermont	June 1
Virginia	June 1
Washington	June 1
West Virginia	June 1
Wisconsin	June 1
Wyoming	June 1

Notes and exceptions

Quick links and CTAs

• Find your local season context: California • Oregon • Texas • Florida • New York • Ohio • North Carolina • Alabama • Pennsylvania • Georgia

• Ready to start treatment on time? Schedule a consult to confirm your tablet choice and supervised first dose.

State‑specific tablet timing (FAQ)

Below are quick answers for common states. Use your state’s season guide above to double‑check local peaks, then follow the lead times here.

• When should I start grass tablets in California? Start by Feb 1 (Grastek ≥12 weeks; Oralair ≈16 weeks). For ragweed tablets, start by Jun 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in Texas? Start by Feb 1. For ragweed tablets, start by May 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in Florida? Start by Feb 1. For ragweed tablets, start by May 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in New York? Start by Mar 1. For ragweed tablets, start by Jun 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in Ohio? Start by Mar 1. For ragweed tablets, start by Jun 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in North Carolina? Start by Feb 1. For ragweed tablets, start by Jun 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in Oregon? Start by Mar 1. For ragweed tablets, start by Jun 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in Colorado? Start by Mar 1. For ragweed tablets, start by Jun 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in Georgia? Start by Feb 1. For ragweed tablets, start by May 1.

• When should I start grass tablets in Pennsylvania? Start by Mar 1. For ragweed tablets, start by Jun 1.

Note: Grastek (Timothy) and Ragwitek (short ragweed) specify starting ≥12 weeks before season; Oralair (5‑grass) ≈16 weeks. If you’re inside the window, start as soon as possible and continue through the season.

• Alaska ragweed: Ragweed is generally absent in Alaska; Ragwitek is often not applicable.

• Florida and Gulf Coast: longer growing seasons can shift both grass and weed windows earlier and extend them later; consider moving “start by” 2–4 weeks earlier if your local pollen peaks early.

• Pacific NW and Oregon’s Willamette Valley: sustained high grass loads—keeping a March 1 grass start is prudent.

• Microclimates/high elevation (e.g., Rockies): frost timing and altitude can shift peaks; use local pollen data to fine‑tune.

Related Wyndly resources

• Grass pollen primer: Grass pollen allergies information available from Wyndly.

• Ragweed primer: Ragweed allergies resources from Wyndly.

• Tablet vs drops and getting started at home: see Wyndly’s pollen allergy immunotherapy hub for more on SLIT.

• State timing hub: Wyndly’s resource on allergy season by state.

Care and safety essentials

• First tablet dose should be given under clinician supervision; carry prescribed epinephrine; do not use if you have severe/uncontrolled asthma or a history of eosinophilic esophagitis (see product labels above).

• Age ranges: current U.S. tablet labels cover ages 5–65 for grass and ragweed tablets (verify with your clinician).

• Wyndly treats environmental (not food) allergies and offers at‑home testing with personalized SLIT. See our overview and FAQs for more information about allergy drops, shots, testing, and treatment.

Methodological references

• Label‑direct timing requirements: Reference individual product labels for Grastek, Oralair, and Ragwitek timing requirements.

• Season timing examples and state guides: Wyndly's locations hub and state pages provide season timing data and examples.

• Season length trend: For details on seasonal changes and climate, see CDC's information on allergens and pollen.